Slotted Random Access Spread-Spectrum Networks: An Analytical Framework

An analytic framework is proposed for the study of singlehop spread-spectrum networks using random access and packet switching under various network topologies and channel conditions. The key feature of the theory is the identification of a set of probabilistic parameters, which, based on a symmetry argument, serve to efficiently summarize the effect on performance of various network considerations such as transmitter-receiver configuration, spreadspectrum code allocation, error correction and detection mechanisms, spreading format, jamming conditions, etc. Examples investigating capture effects, coding tradeoffs, and scheduling optimizations are presented. Various previously known results are shown to be special cases of the framework that we describe.